A business is looking to continue the use of a former Southampton vehicle factory site as a car park for cruise passengers.
The land in Wide Lane near Swaythling, which is three miles from the port, was previously a Ford factory.
Planning permission was granted two years ago to redevelop the site with two flexible employment space units and a drive-through coffee shop on the site, which is owned by Hambridge Estates Ltd.
Circle Parking Ltd has made an application seeking a retrospective change of use for part of the land so it can be used as a car park.
The business started operating on the site last summer.
A statement submitted as part of the application to Southampton City Council’s planning department said: “The drive through coffee shop is currently under construction. Units A and B (the two other units) will be constructed in the future.
“In the meantime, this application, which will have a five-year time limit, should not be of detriment to the original planning permission.”
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The statement said the temporary site use will provide short-term car parking for passengers embarking on cruise holidays out of Southampton.
It said generally this will be around five to 10 cars per day, with this rising to 20 at weekends.
“The site is currently being used as car parking, as before described,” the statement said.
“As far as planning policy is concerned, this use is unlawful.
“This application is to regularise this use and deem it lawful.”
Circle Parking’s website advertises “affordable” cruise and airport parking in Southampton.
It states that the family-run business provides free transfers to and from all cruise terminals, with regular on-site patrols of the car park and 24-hour CCTV.
Hambridge Estates secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the derelict Ford factory site in 2023.
A planning officer’s report said the three units would deliver “significant economic and employment benefits” to the local area.
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